Religious studies minor may come to campus
The history department at Utah State University is currently working to raise the funding to add a proposed religious studies minor to the academic program.
“Currently, there are no public schools with religious degree programs in Utah,” Norm Jones, head of the history department, said. “That’s very odd and we want to change that.”
Jones said religious studies programs are usually offered in other states, and the plan to begin a religious studies minor at USU has gained “tremendous support” from President Kermit L. Hall, Provost Stan Albrecht and the administration.
“Unfortunately, none of the institutions of higher learning in the state have first-rate religious studies programs,” Jan Shipps said in a question and answer packet about the program. “Utah State University, the third largest institution of higher learning in Utah, has no formal religious studies program. With the right intellectual leadership, however, many of the courses already present in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences curriculum could be gathered into such a program.”
Secular, public universities in the state of Utah have generally been “hesitant” to incorporate religion into the academic opportunities because of the large concentration of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the effect it might have upon the culture and politics of the state, Jones said.
A large number of students at USU are members of The Church of Jesus Christ, and because they have the Institute of Religion where they can enroll in classes, Jones said “many have never recognized the need” until now.
Despite many not seeing the need for a religious studies program in the past, Jones said he feels Utah is becoming more religiously diverse.
“This state is needing a religious degree,” Jones said. “We need to teach the knowledge about how one talks about religion and the impact that religion can have on a culture. The program is about how religion influences culture, it is not a program that promotes religion.
“Every student at USU, regardless of his or her religious orientation, confronts ethical and moral dilemmas dealt with in religion every day. Yet there is no place where students can learn to think and talk about it in an objective, scholarly way,” Jones said in a proposal. “This deprives students of exposure to the wide horizons of the world. It prevents USU from helping the citizens of Utah deal with complex social issues with the needed background and understanding of its religious cultures.”
The religious studies program will require 24 credit hours and allow students to become objectively educated and gain a better understanding of the different religions of the world such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
With the large amount of support that has come from both the USU administration and the community of The Church of Jesus Christ, Jones said he is now working on raising the $8 million that is needed for funding of the minor program, which will eventually provide a graduate emphasis and a major.
“We know there is a lot of interest,” Jones said. “We are confident that there will be interest on the part of the donors as well.”
Brand Deming, a senior in the history department which the religious studies program would be under, said he welcomes the addition to the curriculum at USU.
“I think it is a great idea,” Deming said. “It is an opportunity for students to be educated in all different cultures. I think it’s important to learn about other religions and it will definitely open everyone’s minds. This school needs more religious diversity.”
While the religious studies program at USU will not begin for another year or two, Jones said it is apparent other Utah public institutions are recognizing the need for more exposure to religious studies. Utah Valley State College has recently set up a lecture series, and Snow College is working to establish a Jewish studies emphasis in humanities.